Gold grills (or grillz) have been popular for more than a few years and still have their dedicated fans. The tooth appliances can be subtle or showy, but either way, they are noticeable.
For the most part, grills are meant to be temporary, almost like a fancy retainer, but for cosmetic purposes and not to keep your teeth in place. Yet some people have decided to make their grills permanent. No matter how much you like your grill, this is a decision you can't make lightly.
Grills Are Not the Same as Crowns
You may have decided that your grill looks a lot better than your natural teeth, and thus it would be better for you to keep the grill in permanently. However, that's not the purpose of a grill; the dental devices and procedures that improve how your teeth look are crowns, veneers, and bonding.
You can get gold crowns made if you really like the look of gold. Gold, in fact, is an excellent material for crowns because of its strength and resistance to wear. Much of the dental gold used today is actually an alloy with additional metals like nickel to increase the crown's resilience.
Gold crowns also require the least amount of tooth modification before application. If you want to cover up damaged teeth, a gold crown, rather than a permanent grill, is what you need.
Your Teeth and Gums Still Need Proper Care
Crowns can cover part or all of the exposed tooth, but they do not interfere with access to your gums or to other teeth that don't need to be covered up. Grills, however, can make it harder to reach your gumline and other teeth depending on the grill's design.
Gum flesh should never be covered up permanently. That is a recipe for the development of gum disease.
To permanently cover a tooth to the point that it doesn't need additional care requires tooth-surface preparation and a thorough seal. Any exposure or gap in the seal between the crown and tooth can result in more decay forming, which is why you can still have cavities form in teeth that are partially covered with a crown. Or in teeth that are fully covered, if a gap opens in the seal.
While not common, cases of people trying to attach grills with glue are certainly not rare. Unfortunately, that DIY application leaves a lot of space for more decay and staining, but not a lot of access for treatment.
The use of a removable grill is much more helpful for good oral health. Treat the grill like you would a retainer or tray-style braces: clean the grill after each use, protect it, and take it out when eating. Brush and floss thoroughly before putting the grill back in.
One more issue with permanent grills stands out: Damage from a poorly fitting grill. A grill that's too big or that doesn't fit well can lead to damage on the interior of your lips, where the grill hits them. The grills can also scrape across teeth, damaging the enamel.
If the grill can be removed easily at the first sign of irritation or harm, you can stop the problem then and there when you take the grill out of your mouth. But if the grill is in permanently, it may take an emergency trip to a dentist to remove the grill, plus additional dental work to repair the damage.
Grills Are Great Accessories
Grills are actually great accessories for those who like the style. They are customizable, and you can get grills made for different occasions or in different shapes. If you truly want a permanent grill, or if you decide that what you really need is a gold crown, contact Gold Teeth Baton Rouge. Grill use and crown installation need the guidance of an experienced dentist.
